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Hi how are you is a phatic utterance, like talking about the weather. It's how people acknowledge each other (which is a kind thing to do) without having to go

Hi how are you is a phatic utterance, like talking about the weather. It's how people acknowledge each other (which is a kind thing to do) without having to go out of their way to talk to people (because sometimes you have other stuff to do). I've found southerners to be very genuine people.

ianamartin 9y ago
I agree that southerners are genuine people. But I don't equate genuine with honest. Perhaps I was not totally clear in my rant above, but I see both sides of the issue. It's categorically not an honest question. You can call it whatever you like. I happen to be really interested in weather, and I think it's fascinating. If I'm talking to you about weather it's because I've been reading something interesting about it. One person's nonce can be another person's passion. And the way I respond to a close friend asking me how I'm doing at his house is way different from how I respond to that same person at work. And there are also cultures where people emphatically refuse to acknowledge each other at all (NYC) unless absolutely necessary. You can classify the words however you want. But the form of it is a question. It's not totally honest by definition because a real answer is not expected. And giving a real answer is probably a mistake unless you are talking to a close friend outside of work.